Blackbeard’s gruesome terror tactics revealed by shipwreck

The notorious pirate known as Blackbeard wasn’t too picky when it came to weapons in his arsenal.

Blackbeard, believed to be the Bristol-born Edward Teach, terrorized the oceans from Virginia to the Caribbean during the 18th century. Now archeologists believe he used improvised weapons when waging war on ships, including glass, nails and lead shot.

Divers exploring what’s believed to be the wreckage of Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge found piles of those materials on the sea bed near the shipwreck. Now archaeologists suspect Blackbeard’s crew fired them from cannons in an effort to terrorize opponents.

The archaeologists also found the remains of another frightening contraption — two identical cannon balls linked by an iron bar or chain. Producing a spinning effect when fired from cannon, these contrivances were used at close range to slash through the rigging of an enemy ship.

According to the archaeologist, historical evidence indicates that Blackbeard also put the same mixture along with gunpowder into bottles with a wick.

“After lighting it, he tossed it onto the deck of opposing ships when at close range,” (one expert) said.